Posted by Sharon Cece on March 24th, 2009
Sentiment is a strong motivator. Sentiment drives you to do what you wouldn’t otherwise take the time, energy or money to do, since what drives you is emotional rather than practical.
It would have made more sense to finish my degree through a local online program. For one, the cost is much more attractive. For another, the cost is much more attractive. Finally, the cost is…okay, you get the point. Instead, I registered with Florida State University’s online program, which was based six hundred miles away and cost twice as much as a local program. Now, why would a relatively sane, budget-conscious gal like myself choose to do such a thing?
Sentiment, you say. And I say, Right on. I could have registered with North Carolina State, saved money, time, all the rest. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. When I left FSU in 1989 after two years of attendance, for years afterward I dreamed of going back there to get my degree. I dreamed of going back there. You could say that I dreamed in Garnet and Gold.
I left my childhood home at 20, traveling 1200 miles alone for the first time to Tallahassee, Florida; an independent rite of passage. I worked so hard those two years, defining myself, drawing those early experiences into my life, not just remembering but fusing them into who I was. In my heart I was a Seminole. Fourteen years later when I decided to finish what I started, that quixotic spirit, that pride, never left me. In a way–and this may make no sense at all–if I had gone the pragmatic route and chosen a local program, it would have erased all I originally set out to do. Yes, I would have graduated; of course, I would have my degree. But it wouldn’t have been the same. It wouldn’t have been Garnet and Gold.
I look up now at my FSU Diploma, hanging in my custom matted FSU frame, a splurge. It almost brings tears to my eyes. It is so much more than just a piece of paper to me, so much more than academics. The paper in that frame symbolizes idealistic enterprise, hardship and sacrifice, adventure, endurance, perseverance, success. Completing what I originally set out to do. Fulfilling a long-held dream.
I was in spirit, but now officially am on paper, a Seminole.
It cost twice as much to enroll in Florida State’s online program and took more effort compared to local programs. I had to drive 600 miles just to reach out my hand and grab hold of that paper.
Was it worth it?
Oh, you bet it was.
Posted by Sharon Cece on February 18th, 2009
Think of a professor as a symphony conductor or an army general, or even–for zen‘s sake–gatekeepers to the portal of educational enlightenment. Any way you view them, professors and their methods hold the key to understanding your courses and, more importantly, succeeding in them.
At FSU, I was surprised how my online professors (likely with the aid of web designers and tech support) created a traditional college structure from within a computerized venue. Though every instructor had a different modus operandi when it came to e-course layout, all maintained the mandatory first day attendance policy and for good reason: in addition to course introduction and familiarization, everything you need to know is presented online that first day via the syllabus.
In regard to the syllabus, this document is essential to the success of the online student. Therefore, print it, copy it, save it, decorate your bathroom walls with it, hang it from your rearview mirror…I’m being facetious but the point is clear: the syllabus is the most effective piece of material the professor will provide in meeting your course requirements. One or two professors offered it as the only material needed for the entire course; more often, textbooks–sometimes with or without study guides and accompanying CD’s–are required. A few professors augmented all of the above with additional websites, links and yet more materials such as supplemental books of reference. These materials, with very few exceptions, were always sufficient in meeting course goals.
Online instructors usually post their content on the course discussion site and the students respond with questions and comments which are answered in a threaded format. Professors almost always hold e-office hours in the event you need to meet with them individually, or arrange virtual classrooms whereby the entire class could get information in real time. Questions are also fielded by TA’s, who are available a bit more than the busy professor. Email responses are arbitrary depending on the professor; if you’re fortunate you get an immediate answer but ususually it’s a day or more later. Information you require that is course-specific is best posted online publicly so that other students can add to the discussion; personal information (i.e.– you need to re-take a test or make up course work) should be emailed privately to the professor.
If you can bear one more metaphor, think of professors as snowflakes–no two are alike. Get to know each instructor, what materials they require and specifically what he or she expects from you as a student. You will be amazed at how much time and energy this will save you.
A small but essential piece of information to advance you to the portal of educational enlightenment.
